Israeli settlers attack Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians during the West Bank olive harvest, with vehicles and trees set alight near Abu Falah. A BBC team witnessed violence, while The Washington Post said photojournalist Heidi Levine was beaten and had her cameras taken. Farmers described harvesting together for protection as Israeli authorities announced examinations of the incidents.
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Vehicles and olive trees burned near Abu Falah
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in the occupied West Bank on 16 October. A BBC team near Abu Falah, a Palestinian village in the territory, witnessed violence and saw vehicles and trees being burned. Foreign Policy also reported attacks on harvesters, drawing in part on The Washington Post’s reporting. The incidents disrupted the autumn harvest, an important source of income for Palestinian families. Some of those affected were Palestinian Americans. Israeli authorities said incidents involving American citizens would be examined.[1], [2]
A Washington Post photojournalist was among those attacked
The Washington Post said its photojournalist Heidi Levine was beaten by settlers while covering Palestinian farmers and had her cameras taken. Executive editor Matt Murray said she was clearly identifiable as a journalist, wearing a press vest and helmet. The newspaper condemned the assault and called for an investigation and accountability. The Israeli military said it would examine the incident. The US State Department also condemned violence targeting American citizens. Foreign Policy’s account of Levine’s injuries incorporated Washington Post reporting, rather than a separate field investigation by the magazine.[1]
The Foreign Press Association in Israel described the assault on Levine as part of continuing settler violence against journalists and civilians, saying repeated calls for action had been ignored. The Committee to Protect Journalists said settlers assaulted, threatened or obstructed at least 35 journalists working in the West Bank during the first eight months of the year.[2]
Farmers harvest together amid access restrictions
Amin Khalil told the BBC that farmers from three villages were harvesting together for protection, describing settlements around their land. Another resident, Majdi Fheed, said he and his elderly mother had been injured. The BBC could not establish who fired some of the live ammunition at the scene. Foreign Policy reported that Palestinians needed military approval this year to harvest trees in Area C, the part of the West Bank under Israeli military control. Most of the territory’s agricultural land is in that area, leaving access to groves central to the harvest.[1], [2]
